This is probably the longest show of '89 (75min 1st Set & 2+hrs 2nd set), chiefly due to a 35min Space jam. The Fall '89 tour was made of up and down. The 14 dates had winners (10/9, 10/16), average shows (10/8, 10/15, 10/26), shaky shows (like 10/11, 10/14 & this one) and trainwrecks like 10/12.The opposite of June and July, it was full of you-had-to-be-there. Correspondingly, if you want Philly '89, best go with 7/7 first. This show has some average '89, and lots of near-trainwrecks where Jer strikes a chord and nobody follows, where Billy hits the start of a measure and everybody picks up late, and where the drummers are shoes-in-the-dryer. Time to go to the woodshed! This date is known for the first California Earthquake (of 2), the show length, and the long Truckin'>Space>Drums>Space jam.

First Set. Touch is a bit raggedy but you expect they will warm up. They don't. Bobby wrangles with Greatest Story, fighting the drummers, who are on different beats throughout. The solo on Candyman almost makes up for the set up to this point, though the drummers are still in the dryer. Picasso starts to go off the rails so Jer adds some fills, but the band doesn't really stay on top of it. Just four nights earlier was the year's best. Brent is having the best night of anybody and that shows on Just a Little Light (and throughout the tour, really). Tennessee Jed is full of ouch. The drummers are still off - it's barely stitched together; partially redeemed again by the solo. Stuck Inside of Mobile has better Bobby - though it IS a Dylan song, which are hard to fuck up (except lyrically). Brent is still on. Stagger Lee ain't bad at all - the set peak. California Earthquake is apparently exciting (for the trainspotters and history seekers anyway). The'89 quake in the Bay Area was a biggie, 3 days earlier (I was on the phone when it cut out - it was during rush hour and the World Series, so everybody remembers it!). The country band Seldom Scene did this one, so you'd think it was Bobby's idea, but Jer was the fan and he remembered it 12 years after recommending the band. It's nothing very exciting but they did play a better version in Charlotte, two shows later. They also played a benefit for the quake, later. BTW The Owens Valley is actually in Inyo County.

Second Set. This set is stronger from the start. Hey Pocky a-Way is like a Brent bonus before the ScarFire. Scarlet Begonias is the peppy bouncy kind; the solo with unexpected choices. It's a bit wild but holds together and the jam out is great. Fire on the Mountain has several big flubs and overall is probably not a keeper, but with some great sections. If Truckin' is not an outright trainwreck then it sure tries. On the jam out there's a long try for The Other One that turns into more of a Space jam, for 14min. It's not really a TOO - Phil doesn't do the rumble and there are no lyrics, but Jer does play a TOO midi riff. The drummers mainly comp, waiting. It's kind of interesting - better than most of the regular songs in this show. It goes into Drums and then back into Space for a total of 35min. I Will Take You Home is just odd, coming out of that which preceded. This happened too many times in this era. Then Jer tries for a real The Other One and this time it takes; and whad'ya know, they are all in sync .It's the '89 style TOO and pretty good (probably the show's peak), as is the decent Wharf Rat. Sugar Mag, however, is a struggle for Bobby, though they string it way out anyway. Encore is fine.

1st Set:   D
2nd Set: C-
Overall = 1½ stars

Highlights:
nope

SOURCES: The miller_83317 sounds best but the experience is better with the Seamons matrix (the needed energy) and it has a great image. California Earthquake is a bonus on Built to Last. There's a show vid.

There is nothing that exceptional about this show except the earthquake song. I remember being at this show, along with pretty much any other show from 86-the end at the Spectrum.... they always played well. This recording is very good. The music is solid.

Sorry, haven't finished listening yet, but gotta run, so let me say - the sound is great, and I love the Greatest Story. Seems like the jams in this one got blown off a fair amount in the late 80s, but this one smokes -Jerry and Brent trading great leads. Thanks to Charlie and the tapers.

Great mix here. I attended all these Philly shows and remember chills going through me during California Earthquake..Good solid show! so please.GIVE IT A WHIRL>Forever Grateful>Forever Dead

Thank you folks for this fine work! A not-allday selection of songs, with nice grooves between the two TOO's. Great sound!

As Always Charlie, these sound incredible... Thasnks!!!